Graffito

Graffito is the singular form used to refer to a single inscription or drawing made on a surface by scratching, painting, or other means. In English, graffiti is typically used as a mass noun for the entire practice, while graffito can denote one specific mark. The term derives from Italiangraffito, related to graffiare, meaning to scratch.

The modern use of graffito and graffiti traces to urban environments in the 20th century, especially in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. Tagging—simple handwriting or signatures—became a rapid means of claiming space, later evolving into more elaborate forms such as throw-ups and fully developed pieces. The practice spread internationally and became associated with broader urban youth culture and, in some places, with hip hop movements. Early notable practitioners in the graffiti era include taggers who helped popularize the style in major cities; over time, many artists transitioned from tagging to mural-like works and public art projects.

Styles and techniques vary. A tag is a quick personal signature; a throw-up is a more legible, two-color form; a piece (short for masterpiece) is a large, multi-color mural often requiring planning and time. Common media include spray paints, markers, and stencils, applied to walls, trains, and other surfaces. Legality differs by jurisdiction; in many places graffiti on property is illegal, leading to enforcement and cleanup efforts. Some cities have created legal walls or commissioned mural programs to channel the practice into sanctioned art.

Cultural debates about graffito and graffiti center on vandalism versus street art, public space, and preservation. The phenomenon has influenced contemporary art, design, and urban policy, and remains a dynamic and contested form of urban expression.